Top representatives of 18 armed groups are heading for the Kachin
base Laiza on the Sino-Burmese border in northern Burma, according to
sources.

Leaving today from Tachilek on the Thai-Burmese border are 11
delegates from the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), the 12
party alliance led by the host Kachin Independence Organization/Kachin
Independence Army (KIO/KIA) itself. Among them are Nai Hong Sa, General
Secretary and Abel Tweed, Vice Chairman, said the source.

The Karen National Union (KNU) representatives: Mutu Sayphoe,
president, Kwe Htoo Lay, General Secretary; and Htoo Htoo Lay, Adviser
will be leaving today for Rangoon from where they will fly to Myitkyina,
the Kachin State capital tomorrow.

The representative for the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan
State Army (RCSS/SSA) is Col Sai La, Secretary #2, who will be
accompanied by Harn Yawnghwe, Advise; and Khuensai Jaiyen, Adviser.

Its sister organization Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army
(SSPP/SSA) will be represented by Col Khun Hseng, General Secretary;
Lt-Col Kyaw La and Maj Ba Tun.
Mongla, the headquarters of the National Democratic Alliance Army
(NDAA) on the upper triangle, where Burma meets China and Laos,
meanwhile says it won't be going. Why? "Because Panghsang (the Wa
capital) is not going, of course," said the source, refusing to
elaborate.

The NDAA and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) are close allies.

when SHAN asked Panghsang the reason for their decision not to go,
the source replied, "We don't want to want to bother either the East
(meaning China) or the West (meaning Naypyitaw)".

The source however said it would be attending the planned Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement signing ceremony "if we are invited."

The Laiza meeting is expected to discuss the Nationwide Ceasefire
Agreement draft proposed by Naypyitaw. According to Karenni National
Progressive Party (KNPP), a member of the UNFC, the draft widely covers
the ethnics' political expectations, equality, ceasefire and the way to
proceed with the political dialogue. I think if the government implement
there steps exactly as their draft, it would be really good for our
country," reported The Irrawaddy.